A trace fossil, also known as an ichnofossil, is a geological record of biological activity, such as footprints, burrows, or feeding marks, rather than the remains of the organism itself. Trace fossils are significant in paleontology for understanding the behavior of ancient organisms, their interactions with the environment, and the interpretation of sedimentary environments.
Reference: Bromley, R. G. (1996). “Trace Fossils: Biology, Taphonomy, and Applications.” Chapman & Hall.